PhD Business and Management

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
Doctor of Philosophy
Duration
4 Years Full Time
Entry requirements
  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
  • Normally, a Master's degree in a relevant cognate subject normally with an overall average of 65% or above (or overseas equivalent)
  • Professional qualifications other than a Bachelors Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD programme.

Full entry requirements

How to apply

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

The current deadline for consideration in internal funding competitions is 15 March 2025.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

  • For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
PhD Y Y N N

Programme overview

  • Join one of the world's most innovative and ambitious doctoral research schools.
  • Work alongside a range of specialists conducting cutting-edge research in business, marketing management and strategy.
  • Ranked 3rd in the UK for research power 'Business and Management Studies' in the REF2021.
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Management Science and Marketing - PGR Virtual Open Week Session (September 2024 entry)

Open days

Our virtual week took place October 2024 – to find out about future sessions to explore postgraduate research opportunities across the university, please visit our study fairs and events page.

To stay up-to-date with future events and recorded sessions in the Faculty of Humanities, please join our postgraduate research email update list .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PhD (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £5,006
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
  • PhD (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £2,503
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,750

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards available to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply for University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The current deadline for most internal competitions, including Alliance Manchester Business School studentships is 15 March 2025.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting your funding application and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships, and awards you may be eligible for.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School
Contact name
Humanities Doctoral Academy Admissions
Email
Website
https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/
School/Faculty
Alliance Manchester Business School was established in 1965 as one of the UK's first two business schools. Today, we are the UK's largest campus-based business and management school, and 'Original Thinking Applied' is at the heart of everything we do. Find out more .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
  • Normally, a Master's degree in a relevant cognate subject normally with an overall average of 65% or above (or overseas equivalent)
  • Professional qualifications other than a Bachelors Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD programme.

English language

All applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency:

  • IELTS test minimum scores - 7.0 overall, 6.5 other sections.
  • TOEFL (internet based) test minimum scores - 100 overall, 25 in all sections.
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) UKVI/SELT or PTE Academic minimum scores - 76 overall, 76 in writing, 70 in other sections.
  • To demonstrate that you have taken an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a majority English speaking nation within the last 5 years.
  • Other tests may be considered.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the programme.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country.

The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of Submission pending. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or School.

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

The current deadline for consideration in internal funding competitions is 15 March 2025.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

  • For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025

Advice to applicants

Before you start your application, you should:

  1. Develop your own research proposal and project title.
  2. Find a supervisor by browsing our academics' profiles, and reach out directly to discuss if they are interested in supporting your research.
  3. Consider how you plan on funding your research and discuss this with your supervisor.

When you submit your application, you must include each of the below required documents:

  • A 3,000-word PhD research proposal (exclusive of references). Please state the word count on page 1 of the document.
  • A copy of your Bachelor's academic transcript and certificate.
  • A copy of your Master's academic transcript and certificate. If your Master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
  • If you have completed more than one Bachelor's or Master's degree, please provide evidence for each. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
  • An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
  • The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution. Your referees will be contacted directly via the Referee Portal following the submission of your application form. You may wish to notify your referees to submit their references promptly, as this is part of the review process.
  • A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.

Interview requirements

As part of the offer making process, applicants will be required to undertake an interview assessment. This may be in the form of an in-person interview or video call.

The interview is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the broad topic area, the viability of your proposed research and its intellectual contribution, alongside the fit of your project with the supervisory team. You also may be asked to identify and address any potential ethical considerations in relation to your proposed research, and discuss how best to progress your ideas in line with University of Manchester ethics guidance .

The interview panel will consist at minimum of your proposed primary supervisor and an independent interviewer.

Deferrals

Deferral requests will not be considered. If you intend to reapply for internal funding, we welcome you to submit a new application by the programme application deadline next year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful, you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard programme entry criteria for that year of entry.

In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen programme.

Programme details

Programme description

This programme provides advanced training to develop innovative research in all areas of business and management.

Our PhD students undertake research study across a number of research themes often within the Division of Management Sciences and Marketing including:

  • Marketing management and strategy
  • Consumer behaviour
  • Business informatics
  • Decision sciences
  • Operations and supply chain management
  • Data science

We continue to attract outstanding researchers of the highest calibre and our PGR population is one of the largest in the UK, with around 45 researchers joining us each year. As a graduate of one of the world's most innovative and ambitious doctoral research schools, you'll be sought after by leading universities, top business schools, government institutes and private sector organisations.

We embed the PhD into the research life and culture of the School by assigning you to research centres and groups. You will be active in the research life of your centre, organising external seminars, presenting your work to peers in internal seminars, and designing and presenting posters on your PhD. Providing robust and systematic research training is a core strength of our PhD programme. To be able to take full advantage of the training opportunities that are offered, you should reside in or within commuting distance from Manchester. We strongly encourage any candidates who do not reside locally to enrol full-time.

Special features

The PhD programme at AMBS offers an annual entry point of September.  Complete applications must be received by 30 June. However, if you wish to be potentially considered for our funding opportunities, earlier deadlines will be in place.

Additional programme information

Humanities Doctoral Academy

Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers.

We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey. This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.

EDI

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

All appointments are made on merit.

The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Teaching and learning

Our Postgraduate Researchers follow a robust, systematic and flexible research training programme designed to:

  • complement their own immediate requirements as they plan and write their thesis;
  • introduce them to the variety of research undertaken within the Business School; and
  • equip them with the broader skills to become leading edge business and management science researchers in the next generation.

The timetable runs from September to May each year.  Students are required to attend research training sessions and workshops at the School and submit various pieces of assessed work throughout this period.

Normally, full-time Postgraduate Researchers undertake this training and assessment in their first year of study.  Those studying on a part-time basis are permitted to complete the research training element in two years.   

Coursework and assessment

Postgraduate researchers are assessed in a number of courses as part of their research training programme. In addition, their progress is assessed at various stages of studies through the annual progress review process.

Programme content for year 1

A comprehensive Research Training programme is provided to PhD researchers, which requires class attendance on campus and completion of various pieces of assessed work.

Programme content for year 2

Postgraduate Researchers may choose additional elective workshops from the Research Training Programme during Year 2 appropriate to their stage of study and to supplement their existing knowledge.

Programme content for year 3

Postgraduate Researchers may choose additional elective workshops from the Research Training Programme during Year 3 appropriate to their stage of study and to supplement their existing knowledge.

REF 2021

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) we were ranked 3rd in the UK for research power 'Business and Management Studies' and top 10 in the UK in terms (by grade point average) among the 108 departments assessed under Unit of Assessment 22.

91% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.

Our research environment was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.

Read more about our research at Alliance Manchester Business School.

What our students say

Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on our Humanities PGR blog .

Facilities

Alliance Manchester Business School

AMBS is one of the largest business and management schools in the UK and part of the UK's biggest university - The University of Manchester. Facilities include:

  • Study zones, quiet areas and break-out spaces to study and relax
  • Inspiring teaching, events and meeting spaces
  • New offices for our academic divisions and research centres
  • Eddie Davies Library with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the bustling Oxford Road Corridor
  • Three catering outlets: The Mill restaurant and event space, Café 65 and The Hive Café
  • Data Visualisation Observatory
  • Behavioural Research Laboratory
  • Three outdoor courtyards where staff, students and visitors can take a well-earned break

The University of Manchester Library

Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.

Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

We have a tradition of producing high quality doctoral research. Many of our graduates hold academic positions in top universities and business schools around the world. We are strongly committed to creating a research community in which researchers can thrive and develop their skills and we view all our Postgraduate Researchers as potential research stars of the future.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a Postgraduate Researcher and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help support you with your goals for the future.